“The unpredictable weather this season has left growers with bumper crops of ugly-looking fruit and vegetables with reported increases in blemishes and scarring, as well as shortages due to later crops.

“We’ve committed to make use of all fruit and veg that meets regulation and stands up on taste, and hope customers will help us all make the most of the British crop in spite of its sometimes unusual appearance.”

EU rules on “mishapen” fruit and vegetables were relaxed in 2009 but supermarkets still insist on private product standards.

Apples with the odd blemish are often rejected, while other fruits are also kept out of the shops for having small marks, even though they do not affect the flavour.

But other supermarkets besides Sainsbury’s have indicated they may also start selling the wonky produce in their stores.

Environment campaigners welcomed the news.

Friends of the Earth land campaigner Vicki Hird told The Guardian: “It’s about time supermarkets woke up to the urgent need to reduce food waste by accepting perfectly good but irregular shaped fruit and vegetables.”